Leading with Cultural Intelligence - Why Understanding Culture is Essential for Leadership Excellence

In today’s interconnected and globalized world, one of the most valuable traits for leadership excellence is understanding culture.

The ability to navigate, respect, and incorporate diverse cultural perspectives is not only an asset but a necessity for leaders who want to inspire, innovate, and create impactful change.

A quote by, management consultant, author, and educator, Peter Drucker, you might have heard of:

“Culture eats Vision for Breakfast.”

But why is this trait so essential, and how can you, as a leader or aspiring leader, develop it to confidently guide your team and organization, while staying true to your values and goals?

Good company culture is often confused with how the early tech giants dressed their offices with beer fridges, foosball tables and beanbags. This stuff may be a tiny part of creating a good company culture, but culture is much more about how employees behave in critical situations.?

Great company culture is when the majority of employees and their managers can deal with pressure, respond creatively and positively to any challenges, and treat each other and their clients with respect and integrity.

Solid and healthy cultures emerge when people at every level of the organisation feel a true purpose in their work. They don’t feel burdened by their work; they feel energised and engaged. When a problem arises, they can work as a team to solve the issue and then celebrate the success.?

This is why, no matter how brilliant your company’s strategy is, the plan will be difficult or impossible to implement without a healthy culture.?

I came across the following a while back but not sure of its author: “Organizational culture is a?system of shared assumptions, values, and beliefs,?that helps individuals understand which behaviours are and are not appropriate within an organization. Cultures can be a source of competitive advantage for organizations.”

Why Understanding Culture is Critical for Leadership Excellence

1.??????? It creates stronger relationships?

Leaders who understand and appreciate different cultures create trust and respect among diverse teams. By embracing the unique backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints of your team members, you create a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued.

This inclusiveness drives higher engagement and morale, leading to improved productivity and innovation.

2.??????? It enhances decision-making?

Culturally aware leaders are more equipped to make informed decisions. Exposure to various cultural perspectives allows you to consider broader viewpoints, leading to better problem-solving and creative solutions. In a multicultural team, recognizing different approaches can result in more holistic decisions that benefit everyone involved.

3.??????? It boosts global competitiveness?

For businesses operating on a global scale, understanding culture is key to success. Leaders who can skilfully navigate cross-cultural interactions are able to build strong international partnerships, enter new markets, and lead global teams with confidence.

Cultural intelligence allows you to tailor your communication and strategies to resonate across diverse regions, ensuring your leadership style aligns with global business goals.

4.??????? It drives organizational growth?

Culture is the backbone of organizational identity, and leaders who understand both internal and external cultures can drive meaningful growth.

Internally, this means understanding the organizational culture you develop, and ensuring it supports inclusivity, innovation, and ethical decision-making. Externally, it involves staying attuned to the evolving societal and cultural trends that impact your market and stakeholders.

How to Develop Cultural Understanding as a Leader

Developing cultural intelligence is not a one-time effort but a continual process of learning and growth.

Here are some steps to get you started:

1.??????? Educate Yourself?

Take the time to learn about different cultures, histories, traditions, and social norms. This could include reading books, attending cultural events, or participating in diversity and inclusion workshops. The more informed you are, the more adaptable and culturally sensitive you’ll become.

I have personally learned an lot from my wife, Prof.Dr.Arthie Moore-Robberts, who is one of the foremost Global DEIB specialists, and also from being continually involved in her hugely impactful DEIB awareness workshops.?

2.??????? Listen and Observe?

One of the most powerful tools for cultural understanding is active listening. Make a conscious effort to understand the perspectives of those around you. Ask questions, observe non-verbal communication cues, and be open to feedback. This will help you gain a deeper appreciation of diverse viewpoints and identify the best ways to connect with your team and stakeholders.

Here I love the quote from the late Stephen Covey:

?“Try to understand, before being understood.”

When adding that to being able to have coaching conversations, which I addressed in an earlier edition of my newsletter, it becomes so much easier to understand people, not just in your organization but in society at large.

3.??????? Build Diverse Networks?

Seek out relationships with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Engaging with diverse communities will broaden your perspective and expose you to new ways of thinking.

These networks can also provide insights and advice on how to navigate cultural nuances in your leadership.

4.??????? Stay Adaptable?

Cultural understanding requires flexibility. As cultures evolve, so should your approach to leadership.

Be prepared to adapt your strategies and communication styles to align with the changing needs of your team and the cultural dynamics at play. This talks very much into the importance of getting to know yourself better, in order to understand and connect better with others.

Staying on Track with Cultural Leadership

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when navigating cultural complexities, but staying true to your core leadership values is key. Here are three ways to ensure you remain on the right path:

1. Keep Learning - Continue expanding your knowledge and stay curious about cultural trends and developments. This will keep you relevant and equipped to lead in diverse environments.

2. Reflect on Your Leadership Style -?Regularly assess how your cultural understanding is shaping your leadership. Are you fostering inclusivity? Are you driving collaboration across cultural lines? Self-reflection ensures you remain aligned with your values and goals.

3. Lead by Example -?Demonstrate your commitment to cultural understanding by modelling the behaviours you want to see in your team. Be respectful, open-minded, and inclusive. Your actions will inspire others to follow your lead.

Cultural understanding is Leadership Excellence

To be an effective and exceptional leader in today’s world, understanding culture is non-negotiable. By developing your cultural intelligence, you will build stronger teams, make better decisions, and expand your global influence, all while staying aligned with your vision for leadership.

Embrace this journey and watch your leadership excellence reach new heights.

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This newsletter emphasizes the growing importance of cultural awareness in leadership and provides actionable steps for leaders and aspiring leaders to confidently develop this critical trait.

If you are interested in discovering how to improve cultural awareness and DEIB, connect with me or my wife, one of the foremost DEIB Specialists, for further information, especially about Values Based Leadership, which will positively impact the culture in your organization within weeks of its implementation.

[email protected]

[email protected]

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About Jan Robberts:

Having studied personal development and leadership since he was 17, he also gained tremendous experience in leadership, communication, and coaching, working directly with Leadership greats, such as John Maxwell and Les Brown.

He travelled around the world in the oil industry for several decades, so he intentionally and consistently worked on his personal growth whilst supervising and project managing multi-million dollar projects. This has developed and added tremendous value to his journey, personal growth and expertise.?

Jan is known as a Global Influencer & Self-Leadership Strategist. He is co-Founder of Ki Leadership Institute & Founder of JRs Speakers Club. He is a professional Leadership Keynote Speaker, Leadership and personal development Coach, Self-care strategist, Behavioural Analysis Consultant & Values Based Leadership Specialist and to date, has spoken and trained on 4 continents.

https://www.kileadership.com

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